Sermons of John Newton - M - Booklet Sixteen 36. The Lord Reigneth, 37. The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom and 38. King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Extract

Sermons of John Newton – Booklet Sixteen

36. The Lord Reigneth,
37. The Extent of Messiah’s Spiritual Kingdom and
38. King of Kings and Lord of Lords

36. The Lord Reigneth

“Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!” Revelation 19:6.

The book of the Revelation, being chiefly prophetical, will not, perhaps, be fully understood, till the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near, and throw a stronger light upon the whole series. But while the learned commentators have been, hitherto, divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians. Particularly, those passages in which the scenery and images seem designed to give us some representation of the happiness and worship of the heavenly state. Thus a plain unlettered believer, when reading with attention the fourth and fifth chapters, though he cannot give a reason why the elders are twenty four, and the number of their wings neither more nor less than six; yet, from the whole description of the Lamb upon the Throne, the songs of the redeemed, and the chorus of the angels, he receives such an impression of glory, as awakens his gratitude, desire and joy; and excites him likewise to take up the same song of praise, “to Him who has loved him, and washed him from his sins in His own blood.” He is content to leave the discussion of hard questions to learned men, while he feeds by faith upon those simple truths, which can only be relished by a spiritual taste; and which, where there is such a taste, make their way to the heart, without the assistance of critical disquisition [critical discussion].

The subject of the preceding chapter is the destruction of mystical Babylon, the head of the opposition against the …